UNUSUAL CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 8

UNUSUAL CHARGE

HIRING OF TAXICAB THE CASE DISMISSED "There is a big difference between a case where a driver fancies his honour has been slighted and one in which he deliberately refuses to have his cab hired," said Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Charles Sydney Herbert Nimn, taxidriver (Mr.' Haigh), was charged by the traffic department of the City Council with refusing to carry out hiring. _ Defendant had been engaged on Saturday night, August 11, to take four people from the top of Pitt Street to Melford Street, Ponsonby, said Mr. C. Bland, who prosecuted. On the way he was challenged by one of the passengers as to whether he was taking the shortest route. On arrival at MelfordStreet he refused to take one of the passengers 011 to Beresford Street, and also refused to accept the 2s fare. It was clear that there was an argument. said Mr. Haigh, as to whether the driver was taking his passengers bv a long route in order to defraud them. Such an accusation would naturallv give a ! strong sense of injustice, and it was understandable that defendant would not wish to be concerned with them again. "This nian might have had some reason for annoyance," said the magistrate, "although perhaps he was rather touchy." .The case was dismissed.